Panel for pictorial warning on 50%, not 85%, of cigarette packet surface

A parliamentary panel has recommended that pictorial warnings cover 50% of the surface of packets of all tobacco products instead of 85% as was notified by the health ministry.TNN | March 16, 2016, 08:37 IST

The report, tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, comes merely a fortnight ahead of the April 1 deadline set by the health ministry to implement 85% pictorial warning on both sides of packets of all tobacco products.

However, the parliamentary panel on subordinate legislation termed the government's move as "too harsh" and recommended a drastic reduction in size of the warning, evoking criticism from many MPs and health experts.

"The committee is of the considered view that in order to have a balanced approach, the warning on cigarette packets should be 50% on both sides of the principal display area instead of 85% of the principal display area...," the report said, adding that a bigger warning will not only impact trade but also result in illicit sale of cigarettes in the country.

The committee also opposed pictorial warning on both sides of beedi packs. The report said before enforcing the amended rules on the beedi industry, the government must take into consideration the socio-economic problems associated with the beedi trade that involves livelihood of millions of poor people of the country. "The committee strongly feels that the government needs to re-consider their decision to cover beedi industry under the amended rules...," the report said.

In case of beedi as well, the committee has recommended that a "practical" approach may be adopted by increasing the size of warning up to 50% on one side of the pack of beedis, chewing tobacco and other tobacco products.

However, the recommendations of the committee are not binding on the health ministry, which has so far maintained its anti-tobacco stand. "We are committed to our anti-tobacco stand. We will evaluate the report," a health ministry official said.

The committee also dismissed issues related to conflict of interest due to presence of beedi baron Shyama Charan Gupta in the panel and said he was not present in any of the meetings on tobacco.

"Reduction of the pictorial warning from 85 per cent to 50 per cent, if this is correct, then I am disappointed. One million Indians die every year. Most of these people are poor Indians who do not have health insurance to cover cancer and other problems from tobacco," BJD MP Jay Panda said.

K Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) said the earlier proposal of 85% size was much stronger and any withdrawal from that will make it "less effective". He hoped the government will stand by its decision.

India had been praised by the international community for notifying 85% pictorial warnings on tobacco packets. But the notification was taken up for examination by the committee of subordinate legislation, whose members include a beedi baron with a Rs 250 crore business.

Chairman Dilip Gandhi and several other members of the committee, including Allahabad MP S C Gupta, who owns a beedi business, had questioned scientific data on impact of tobacco consumption on health.